Birthdays are truly special milestones in children’s lives. They only come once a year and the anticipation is half the fun. Celebrating them makes children feel special, while creating lasting memories. However, the process can sometimes be stressful, expensive and may require a lot of work.

So, how can parents plan a successful party with the least amount of stress? The first ingredient is organization and the second is planning. Things will be easier if you’re clear on what you want and you plan in advance.

There are many ways to have fun with elementary aged children and keeping it simple is always a viable option. You may choose to host the party in your residence or backyard and to keep costs low, you can prepare fun games and activities.

But for some parents, hosting the party at home is not a possibility. So, if you’re looking for an inexpensive venue, community centres or parks are popular. Julie Blimes, mother to a six-year-old boy, hosted her son’s party at a local splash pad. Blimes avoided unnecessary stress by fixing a budget and sticking to it. “My advice is to keep the food simple. Creating an elaborate menu with many choices can get expensive and kids are usually happy with pizza, hot dogs and cupcakes,” she explains.

If you’re willing to dish out a bit more cash, there are many other venues to choose from like indoor playparks, paintball stations or sports-related gyms. You may even choose to hire children’s entertainment such as clowns or magicians. There are also party packages for the artistically inclined. Mom, Elenny Gonis, chose a unique and fun theme called a “splatter party.” It took place at an art studio where children had the opportunity to splatter paint all over a canvas without worrying about the mess. “My son loved it,” she says. “Every child created a painting that they got to keep and there were no restrictions like at home. That was an added bonus for them!”

No matter what kind of venue and party you choose, planning ahead is essential. Here’s a quick checklist;

  •  Choose a theme; Talk to your child about it to involve them in the planning.
  • Set a budget; Make a list of everything you’ll need, from cake to loot bags, and create a budget that works for you.
  •  Find a venue; You can host the party at home to keep things intimate and keep costs down or you can choose a venue. It may be pricier, but you won’t have to clean up the mess!
  •   Set a date and time; Parties for young children are often very short, lasting only a few hours.
  • Make the guest list; Most parents say this is the most stressful element. Do you invite the whole class or just certain friends? And what about family? This will largely depend on budget and venue.
  • Prepare the menu; Choose the food and beverages you will serve, from meals to snacks. And of course, plan that ever-important birthday cake!
  •  Expect the unexpected; Remember, the party is all about having fun. If things go wrong (as they often do), try to go with the flow and enjoy the moment.